Witr prayer (وتر) is a special, highly recommended salah in Islam that holds immense spiritual value. It is the final prayer of the night and is often prayed after Isha or following Tahajjud. This article will walk you through the importance of Witr prayer, its method (witr ka tarika / witr padhne ka tarika), the number of rakats, and how to recite the Witr ki dua (Dua e Qunoot) — even if you don’t know it by heart.
What is Witr Prayer?
Witr literally means “odd” in Arabic. The Witr namaz is called so because it is prayed in an odd number of rakats — 1, 3, 5, etc. It is Sunnah Mu’akkadah (highly emphasized Sunnah) in the Hanafi school and Wajib according to many scholars. The Prophet ﷺ never missed the Witr prayer, even while traveling, highlighting its importance.
Importance of Witr Prayer in Islam
The importance of Witr prayer is underscored in several hadith. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Witr is a duty; whoever does not pray Witr is not one of us.”
(Abu Dawood)
Another hadith from Sahih Muslim mentions:
“Allah has added one more prayer to be observed by you. It is Witr.”
(Muslim)
Praying Witr regularly earns spiritual rewards, closes the day with worship, and protects one’s night from negligence.
When to Pray Witr?
You can perform Witr prayer after Isha and before Fajr. Ideally, if you’re offering Tahajjud, it’s best to delay Witr until the end of the night. Otherwise, offer it immediately after Isha.
How Many Rakats in Witr Prayer?
Most commonly, Witr namaz is prayed as 3 rakats, especially in the Hanafi madhhab. However, you can pray 1, 3, 5, 7, or more odd-numbered rakats depending on the school of thought you follow.
- Hanafi: 3 rakats with salaam only at the end, and Qunoot in the third rakat.
- Shafi’i / Hanbali / Maliki: 1 or 3 rakats; can give salaam after 2 rakats, then pray 1 separately.
So, if you wonder how to pray 3 rakat Witr, here’s a step-by-step guide based on the Hanafi method.
Witr Ka Tarika (Witr Prayer Method – Hanafi)
How to Perform 3 Rakat Witr Prayer? (Hanafi)
- Make Niyyah (intention): “I intend to pray 3 rakats of Witr prayer for the sake of Allah.”
- Pray two rakats as normal: Surah Fatiha + another surah in each rakat.
- After the second rakat, do not end the prayer with salam. Stand for the third rakat.
- In the third rakat, after Surah Fatiha + surah:
- Raise your hands and say Allahu Akbar
- Then recite Dua e Qunoot
If you don’t know Dua Qunoot, you can say any other supplication or simply say:
“اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي” (Allahumma ighfir li)
Meaning:
“O Allah, forgive me.”
Then complete the rakat and end the prayer with salaam.
How to Pray Witr If You Don’t Know Dua Qunoot?
If you’re still learning the witr prayer dua, you have two options:
- Recite any other short dua, like:
“Rabbighfir li wa tub ‘alayya, innaka anta at-Tawwabur-Raheem.” - Simply say:
“Allahumma ighfir li” (O Allah, forgive me)
Scholars agree that if you do not know the full Dua Qunoot, you can substitute it with another supplication while learning it.
How to Pray 1 Rakat Witr?
If you follow the Shafi’i or Hanbali school, or in times of necessity:
- Make niyyah for 1 rakat Witr.
- Recite Surah Fatiha and another surah.
- After ruku, recite Dua e Qunoot (or any dua).
- Complete your rakat and give salam.
This is a valid method of how to pray 1 rakat Witr, especially useful for those who want to keep it simple.
Common Questions About Witr Namaz
Q: Is Witr namaz wajib or Sunnah?
A: It’s Wajib in the Hanafi school and Sunnah Mu’akkadah in others.
Q: Can I combine Witr with Isha if I’m short on time?
A: Witr must be prayed after Isha, but not with Isha. It is separate and follows it.
Q: Is Witr prayer valid without Dua Qunoot?
A: Yes. While it is Sunnah to recite Dua Qunoot, missing it does not invalidate the prayer.
The Witr prayer is a beautiful way to end your day in worship and seeking forgiveness. Learning the witr ka tarika, especially how to pray 3 rakat Witr or even 1 rakat, gives flexibility and builds a connection with Allah. Whether you’re new to it or improving your practice, make this salah part of your nightly routine.
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